Ranging from the dawn of the silent era to today's blockbusters and independent films, this revamped second edition chronicles the significant contributions by Chicago and Chicagoans to more than a century of American filmmaking. Among the Windy City's unique honors in this history are the development of film technology by early major players Essanay Film Manufacturing Company and the Selig Polyscope Company; the first African American-owned and operated film studios; the birthplace of gore flicks; the origination and growth of movie palaces; and the importance of the Second City, Goodman, and Steppenwolf theaters as training grounds for the industry's best comedic and dramatic talent. Readers will relish behind-the-scenes stories of local favorites like The Blues Brothers and Ferris Bueller's Day Off, as well as recent box office smashes like Batman Begins and The Dark Knight. Fully revised and updated, this premier guide to the Windy City's history in the film industry features new profiles of film locations, more photographs, and exclusive interviews detailing all aspects of the moviemaking process, making it the perfect guide for film lovers and Chicago history buffs alike.

"A must-read for local movie buffs." -- Chicago Sun-Times "Film lovers and Windy City fans will cherish this updated guide."-- Booklist "This is a very different, much fuller and livelier book (than the original edition). The pair does more than merely update the original, giving us much good and solid stuff about the early days of movie-making here and engaging stories about the many movies that have been made here over the decades...Movie nuts, feel free to rejoice."-- Chicago Tribune " Hollywood on Lake Michigan expertly captures Chicago's role in film and television during the past century. Movie buffs will love reading about the city's role in their favorite films, and fans of the city will love learning how some of their favorite haunts have been featured in film."-- Chicago Book Review " Hollywood on Lake Michigan: 100+ Years of Chicago and the Movies is as much about the films based in Chicago as it is about those filmmakers who have fallen in love with the location. Filmgoers and fans of local history will find this resource equally engaging." -- Examiner.com "Whether you're a movie buff or whether it's beautiful or unusual architecture you fancy--or if you're planning a visit to the Windy City, even if it's not your first visit--you will find this book a valuable and very readable resource." --Le Bon Travel & Culture "In short, there is plenty in Hollywood on Lake Michigan: 100+ Years of Chicago and the Movies to appeal to all manner of enthusiasts, film and history buffs included. The book is written with great affection for the places and the art that resulted, which makes it a highly entertaining read." --Once Upon a Screen "I had a marvelous time reading the second edition of Hollywood on Lake Michigan ... I had bought, and enjoyed, the first edition of the book, but there's a lot of fascinating new material on hand for the new edition." --Kevin's Movie Corner